eral is one who acts in the
name of the bishop.

Q. 498. Could any one be Pope without being Bishop of Rome?
A. One could not be Pope without being Bishop of Rome, and whoever is
elected Pope must give up his title to any other diocese and take the
title of Bishop of Rome.

Q. 499. {118} Why is the Pope, the Bishop of Rome, the visible Head of
the Church?
A. The Pope, the Bishop of Rome, is the visible Head of the Church
because he is the successor of St. Peter, whom Christ made the chief of
the Apostles and the visible Head of the Church.

Q. 500. Why are Catholics called "Roman"?
A. Catholics are called Roman to show that they are in union with the
true Church founded by Christ and governed by the Apostles under the
direction of St. Peter, by divine appointment the Chief of the Apostles,
who founded the Church of Rome and was its first bishop.

Q. 501. By what name is a bishop's diocese sometimes called?
A. A bishop's diocese is sometimes called his see. The diocese of Rome,
on account of its authority and dignity, is called the Holy See, and its
bishop is called the Holy Father or Pope. Pope means father.

Q. 502. What do we call the right by which St. Peter or his successor
has always been the head of the Church and of all its bishops?
A. We call the right by which St. Peter or his successor has always been
the head of the Church, and of all its bishops, the Primacy of St. Peter
or of the Pope. Primacy means holding first place.

Q. 503. How is it shown that St. Peter or his successor has always been
the head of the Church?
A. It is shown that St. Peter or his successor has always been the head
of the Church: (1) From the words of Holy Scripture, which tell how
Christ appointed Peter Chief of the Apostles and head of the Church. (2)
From the history of the Church, which shows that Peter and his
successors have always acted and have always been recognized as the head
of the Church.

Q. 504. How do we know that the rights and privileges bestowed on St.
Peter were given also to his successors--the Popes?
A. We know that the rights and privileges bestowed on St. Peter were
given also to his successors, the Popes, because the promises made to
St. Peter by Our Lord were to be fulfilled in the Church till the end of
time, and as Peter was not to live till the end of time, they are
fulfilled in his successors.

Q. 505. Did St. Peter establish any Church before he came to Rome?
A. Before he came to Rome, St. Pete